Bioeconomy Institute

Diols From Polyols

This project represents a collaborative effort between West Central Cooperative, Grain Processing Corporation, and Drs. Lin and Kraus from Iowa State University to produce 1,3-propanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, and 1,6-hexanediol, from glycerol, xylitol, and sorbitol, respectively.

The project's specific objectives are to: optimize the ionic hydrogenation reactions using glycerol and scale up the reduction of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol to kilogram and pilot plant scale; reduce sorbitol to 1,6-hexanediol and scale up to kilogram and pilot plant scale, and reduce xylitol to 1,5-pentanediol and scale up to kilogram and pilot plant scale.

This project explores the technical and economic feasibility of using ionic hydrogenation to convert glycerol, a byproduct from biodiesel production, into 1,3-propanediol (PDO). PDO is used to make a new class of polymers. The market for PDO is currently over 100 million pounds per year. Currently, 1,5-pentanediol and 1,6-hexanediol are also used in the polymer industry. The Lin and Kraus group, in collaboration with engineers from West Central and GPC, will address the optimization process for two very promising reactions for the conversion of polyols to diols. Initially, they intend to evaluate the use of mesoporous nanocatalysts, and the use of porous silicon material that can be obtained from recycling rejected chips, the two reactions for the reduction of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol.

The Iowa State group has already achieved preliminary success in using both approaches for conversion of glycerol to PDO. The proposed route involves a one-step conversion of glycerol to PDO and offers significant opportunity to develop new, cost-effective processes that utilize renewable feedstocks to produce PDO while lessening reliance on fossil fuels. In addition, the project will support rural economic development and employment.

Principal Investigators:

Victor Lin, Iowa State University Center for Catalysis

George Kraus, Iowa State University Center for Catalysis

Participating and/or Sponsoring Organizations:

West Central Cooperative
Grain Processing Corporation